Aging Technology Replacement

I'm a missions researcher. That means I work with a large number of agencies to identify where mission work of various types is being done - what kinds, in which places, among which peoples.

Since I know where it's being done, I also know where it's not - which means we know where people need to "go next." I share that kind of analysis through an email newsletter, at conferences, and in an advisory capacity with several agencies.

As with most missionaries, we raise our own support and operational funds. We also tend to stretch our technology and equipment out a lot further than most people do. When I travel to conferences I have been using an older, aging laptop.

I maintain several very large spreadsheets, plus large collections of interview files. Updating and analyzing these on the laptop is very slow at this point. Further, in our changing world, I am growing increasingly aware of security issues.

Replacing this with a newer, iPad tablet would mean
* I could carry data in a lighter - and more secure! - way
* I'll be better able to update data and transcripts at conferences
* I'll be able to potentially record videos of interviews
* I'll be able to do on the spot, quicker analysis of data
* And do better presentations.

This expense isn't something I've budgeted for this year, and I thought an experiment with GoFundMe for a "one-off campaign" would be interesting for us and for those who invest in our work. Using a GoFundMe is a bit of a new trial for me, but of course seeing the support of our friends and partners is not. We're so thankful for those who invest in our work and make possible what we do to "lift the arms" of those who do the work in the field.